Copiapoa atacamensis Middled.

 

Origin and Habitat: Distribution: between Paposo and Cerro Moreno, Atacama Desert in the province of Antofagasta, Northern Chile.
Altitude: 100-1100 metres above sea level.
Habitat: It grows in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places in the world. It is found in barren rocky land, but with protection from direct sun through coastal fog (camanchaca) and obtain water mainly from condensation of the fog, they only manage to survive in those conditions.

Synonyms:

• Copiapoa calderana subs. atacamensis (Middled.) Doweld

Common Names include:
SPANISH (Español): Atacameño

Description: Copiapoa atacamensisSN|1739]]SN|1741]] is a spherical very spiny cactus which is often listed as a synonym of Copiapoa calderanaSN|1739]]SN|1739]], but it occurs disjunctly with minor frequence and its relationship with Copiapoa calderanaSN|1739]]SN|1739]] is unclear. It is probably a good species (or at the most a subspecies) rather than a variety of Copiapoa calderanaSN|1741]]SN|1739]].
Habit: Either solitary or forming massive clumps consisting of many stems.
Root: It has a big taproot which is considerably longer than the stem and serves for storing water. The main root may be several times the length of the above-ground body.
Stem: Globose, to elongate globose up to 12 cm across, grey-green with a greyish bloom and crowned by a dense mass of silky dull-yellow or brownish wool, particularly at flowering time. The grey colouration is a waxy coating presumably produced to prevent desiccation in it's extremely dry environment. In cultivation the waxy bloom is often not produced, revealing a green epidermis.
Ribs: 12–13(-16) sharp, to obtuse, slightly rounded and barely dissolved in tubercles. Usually straight but occasionally spirally arranged.
Areoles: 3-10 mm in diameter, almost round, approximate, the adjoining ones usually touching. Young areoles filled with soft yellowish to orange-brownish felted wool, turning grey or blackish, later almost glabrous.
Spines: Very variable in colouration, black, brown or grey.
Central spine: Single, straight, pointing outward, tapering, nearly bristle-like 33–38 mm long.
Radial spines: 5-7 more slender, slightly backward curved, 10–12 mm long.
Flowers: Few at a time, opening widely, diurnal closing at night, fragrant, protracting the period of opening many days, funnel-shaped, 3–3,5 cm long.
Fruit: Green to pink coloured, with a few scales.

Copiapoa atacamensis (llifle.com)

 

https://youtu.be/h2EEiZF6V3U?t=348